The Construction of Equations: Introductio in Analysin Infinitorum Vol. 2

EULER'S
INTRODUCTIO IN ANALYSIN INFINITORUM VOL. 2

Chapter 20.
Translated and annotated by Ian Bruce. page 533
CHAPTER XX
THE CONSTRUCTION OF EQUATIONS

486. The matters which have been established in the above chapter are accustomed to be
applied chiefly to the construction of equations of higher orders. Indeed since we may
have come upon an equation from two proposed curves, the roots may show the position
of the intersections, thus in turn the intersections of two curves are able to attend to the
roots of the indicated equations. And this method may provide the greatest use, if the
roots of some equation must be expressed by lines; and with each curve described to be
adapted towards this end, the intersections will be noted easily, from which, if they may
be sent to the applied axis, the abscissas will provide the true roots of the equation. But if
an inconvenience mentioned above may have a place, then indeed all the abscissas thus
found will provide roots, but it will arise, that the proposed equation may include more
roots, than may be found by such a construction.
487. Therefore since an algebraic equation will have been proposed involving the
unknown x, the roots of which it may be required to designate, two curved lines are
required to be sought or two equations between the variables x and y, which shall be
prepared thus, so that the applied line y may be eliminated from these, and the proposed
equation itself may result. With what done these two curves may be described above a
common axis at the same starting points of the abscissas and the points may be noted in
which they will intersect mutually. Then from these points of intersections the applied
lines may be sent normal to the axis, which will show on the axis the abscissas of the of
the individual equations proposed with equal roots. And thus in this manner the true
values of the individual roots sought may be assigned, unless perhaps it may eventuate,
that the equation may contain more roots, than the intersections are to be taken from that.
488. But before I shall relate the manner, by which these two curves are able to be found
serving for the construction of
the given equation, from the
following we may consider
these equations, the solution of
which is resolved from two
given curves. And indeed in the
first place both the resolving
right lines EM and FM
themselves shall intersect at the
point M. The right line EF may
be taken for the axis and on that
some point A for the start of the
abscissas, from which the
normal ABC drawn may cut the
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
first line at B, the latter at C. There shall be AE  a, AF  b, AB  c, AC  d ; then truly
the abscissa may be considered AP  x , the applied line PM  y , and for the first line
EM there will be a : c  a  x : y or ay  c(a  x) and for the other b : d  b  x : y or
by  d (b  x) . From these equations if y may be eliminated, there will be produced
bc(a  x)  ad (b  x)
or
abd  abc ab(d  c)
x  .
bc  ad bc  ad
Therefore the simple equation

ab(d  c)
x ;
bc  ad
will be able to be constructed through the intersection of the two right lines, to which
form all simple equations are able to be recalled generally.
489. The circle follows right lines in the account of ease of being described, and on this
account we may consider how equations of this kind are able to be constructed by the
intersection of a straight line and a circle
Therefore the right line EM may be described (Fig. 98), on taking AP for the axis and A
for the start of the abscissas, and by putting AE  a, AB  b and with the coordinates
AP= x, PM= y, there will be a : b  a  x : y and thus ay  b(a  x) , which is the equation
for a right line. Then the radius of the circle shall be CM  c , and with the perpendicular
CD sent from its centre C to the axis calling
AD  f , CD  g there will be DP  x  f and PM  CD  y  g . Now, since from the
nature of the circle there shall be
CM 2  DP 2  ( PM  CD) 2 ,
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
the equation for the circle will be
cc  xx  2 fx  ff  yy  2 gy  gg  ( x  f ) 2  ( y  g ) 2 .
ab  bx
But the equation for the right line gives y  , from which there becomes
a
a  b  g   bx bx
yg  bg 
a a
from which with the value of y placed in the other equation there emerges
2b  b  g  x bbxx
cc  xx  2 fx  ff   b  g   
2
a aa
or
 aaxx  2ab  b  g  x  aa (b  g) 2  0,
bb  2aaf  aaff
 aacc
therefore the roots of this equation may be found by the intersection of a right line and a
circle, thus so that with the perpendiculars MP, mp sent from the intersections M and m to
the axis, the values of y become AP and Ap.
490. Because all square equations are held in this equation, hence the construction of
general square equations will be able to be established. Evidently this quadratic equation
shall be proposed
Axx  Bx  C  0 ,
which thus may be reduced to the first form above, so that the first terms may agree ; on
aa  bb
multiplying by :
A
B  aa  bb  x C  aa  bb 
(aa  bb) xx    0.
A A
Now the equality of the remaining terms will give
2 Aab(b  g )  2 Aaaf  B(aa  bb)
and thus there becomes

EULER'S
Chapter 20.
B (aa  bb)
af  b(b  g )  .
2 Aa
From which, since there shall be
C (aa  bb)
aa(b  g ) 2  aaff  aacc  ,
A
there will be
Bb  b  g  (aa  bb) BB(aa  bb) 2 C (aa  bb)

(aa  bb)(b  g ) 
2
  aacc 
Aa 4 AAaa A
and thus
Bb  b  g  BB(aa  bb) aacc C

(b  g ) 2     ,
Aa 4 AAaa aa  bb A
therefore
Bb  aacc C BB 
bg      .
2 Aa  aa  bb A 4 AA 
Therefore the three quantities a, b and c remain indeterminate at this stage, but which
thus it is necessary to be taken, so that
aacc C BB
 
aa  bb A 4 AA
becomes a positive quantity, because otherwise b  g  AA  CD and hence CD will

become an imaginary quantity.
491. Therefore nothing hinders that we may not put b  0 , and there will be
  BB  4 AC  B
g   cc   and f   .
 4 AA  2A
Then truly, since the proposed equation Axx  Bx  C  0 shall have no real roots, unless
BB  4AC
BB shall be greater than 4AC, in this case will be a positive quantity, for
4 AA
which if it may be put equal to cc, so that there shall be
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
( BB  4AC )
c
2A
also makes g  0 and a in short departs from the calculation. Therefore the right line EM
falls on the axis itself AP and the centre of the circle C must be located at the point D
with
B
AD   ,
2A
from which centre, if a circle be described with the radius
( BB  4AC )
c ,
2A
its intersections with the axis itself will show the roots of the proposed equation. But so
that according to this there shall be no need for an irrational formula, there may be put
k
g c , so that there shall be
2A
2ck kk  BB  4 AC
cc    cc  ,
2 A 4 AA 4 AA
there will be
kk  BB  4 AC BB  4 AC  kk
c and g  .
4kA 4kA
Therefore in our arbitrary determination the quantity k remains, which takes any value,
because the right line CM falls on the axis itself, the circle must be described in the
B
following manner. On taking AD   , the perpendicular may be taken
2A
BB  4 AC  kk
CD  .
4 Ak
and with center C a circle may be described, whose radius
BB  4 AC  kk
 ;
4Ak
and its intersections with the axis will show the roots of the proposed equation.
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
B C
If therefore there may be put k   B , on taking AD   it is found that CD  , and
2A B
the radius of the circle required to be described with centre C will be
 BB  2 AC B C
  ,
2 AB 2A B
from which the radius of the circle will be  AD  CD ; which construction may be
considered for the most convenient use.
492. Now we will consider two circles (Fig. 99) intersecting each other and for the first
there shall be AD  a , CD  b , and its radius
CM  c ; and there will be on putting
AP  x and PM  y :
DP  a  x, CD  PM  b  y ; and thus from the
nature of the circle there will be had
xx  2ax  aa  yy  2by  bb  cc .
In a similar manner for the other circle there shall

be Ad  f , dc  g and its radius cM  h ,
and there will be
xx  2 fx  ff  yy  2 gy  gg  hh ,
with which equations subtracted from each other there will remain
2  f  a  x  aa  ff  2  b  g  y  bb  gg  cc  hh ,
therefore
aa  bb  ff  gg  cc  hh  2  a  f  x
y
2 b  g 
and hence
bb  2 gbh  aa  ff  gg  cc  hh  2  a  f  x
b y 
2 b  g 
and
2a  b  g   2(b  g ) x
ax .
2(b  g )
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
page 539
Translated and annotated by Ian Bruce.
Therefore since there shall be (a  x)  (b  y )  cc , with the substitution made there
2 2
shall be
 4(a  f ) 2 xx  4  a  f  b  g  x  (b  g ) 4  0.
2
 2  aa  cc  (b  g ) 2
 4 b  g   4  a  f  aa  ff   2( ff  hh)  b  g 
2 2
 4(a  f )(cc  hh)  (aa  cc  ff  hh) 2
With the aid of this equation therefore, the equation
Axx  Bx  C  0
will be able to be constructed in an infinite number of ways ; likewise truly it is

understood the a higher quadratic equation cannot be constructed by the intersection of
two circles, because two circles therefore are unable to intersect in more than two points.
Therefore since the same quadratic equation may be constructed by the intersection of a
straight line and a circle, this construction for that, which requires two circles, deservedly
is preferred, unless perhaps in some singular cases the determination of the lines a, b, f, g,
c and h may be produced easier and at once.
493. Now a circle may intersect with a parabola (Fig. 100) ; evidently with the CD
perpendicular sent from the centre of the circle C to the axis AP, there shall be
AD  a, CD  b and the radius of the circle CM  c , the equation between the
orthogonal coordinates AP  x, PM  y for the
circle will be  x  a   ( y  b) 2  cc. Truly the axis
2
FB of the parabola here may be put in place

assumed normal to this axis AP and there shall be
AE  f , EF  g and the parameter of the parabola
 2h ; from the nature of the parabola there shall be
EP 2  2h  EF  PM  or in symbols
( x  f ) 2  2h( g  y ) , so that there shall be
( x  f )2 ( x  f )2
y  g and y  b   (b  g ).
2h 2h
Which value if it may be substituted into the first equation, and y will be eliminated, will
be
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
x  f 
4
(b  g )( x  f ) 2
  (b  g ) 2   x  a   cc
2
4hh h
or
x 4  4 fx3  6 ff  xx  4 f 3  x  f 4 0 ,
 4h(b  g )  4 fh(b  g )  4 ffh(b  g )
 4hh  8ahh  4hh(b  g ) 2
+4aahh
 4cckh
the roots of which equation will be the abscissas AP, Ap, Ap, Ap, so that the applied lines
will pass through the points of intersection M, m, m, m.
494. In this equation six constants are present a, b, c, f, g and h, of which truly the pair
b  g are to be considered as one, thus so that only five shall be agreed to be present on
putting b  g  k . Evidently on putting CD  EF  b  g  k the following equation will
be had
x 4  4 fx 3  6 ffxx  4f 3 x  f 4 0.
 4hk  4 fhk – 4 ffhk
 4hh  8ahh  4hhkk
 4aahh
 4cchh
Moreover the general biquadratic equation can be reduced to this form; for let this
equation be proposed :
x 4  Ax3  Bxx  Cx  D  0 ,
it will be prepared by putting in place
4 f  A or f  14 A ,
6 ff  4hk  4hh  B or 3
8
AA  4hk  4hh  B ,
from which there becomes

3 AA B
k h
32h 4h ,
4f 3 – 4 fhk  8ahh  C
or
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
1 3 3 3
A  A  Ahh  14 AB  8ahh  C
16 32
therefore
A3 A AB C
a +   .
256hh 8 32hh 8hh
And then there is
( ff  2hk ) 2  4aahh  4cckk  D .

But there is
B AA
ff  2hk   2hh 
2 16
and
A3 Ah AB C
2ah    
128h 4 16h 4h
with which values substituted an equation emerges involving c and h , which therefore
thence it is required to be defined most appropriately, clearly thus so that each may retain
a real value.
495. Truly because in any biquadratic equation the second term can be removed easily,
now we may consider that itself to be removed, and thus this equation is to be
constructed
x 4 *  Bxx  Cx  D  0 .
B C
Therefore at first there will be f  0 , secondly k  h  , thirdly a  and on
4h 8hh
account of
B C
2hk  ff  2hh  and 2ah 
2 4h
in the fourth place
CC
4h 4  2 Bhh  14 BB   4cchh  D ,
16hh
so that there shall be
64cch 4  CC  4 BBhh  32 Bh 4  64h6  16 Dhh
and thus
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
8chh  (4hh( B  4hh) 2  CC  16 Dhh) .
Truly because here especially it is to be effected, that c as well as h may retain real
Bq
values, there is put c  h – and there will be
4h
CC  16 Dhh  8Bhhq  32h 4 q  4hhqq  0 .
So that therefore we may satisfy the equation, two cases are to be distinguished, the one
in which D is a negative quantity, the other in which D is a positive quantity.
I.
Therefore let D be a positive quantity   EE , thus so that this equation must be
constructed
x 4 *  Bx 2  Cx  EE  0 ;
4hh  B
according to this there may be put q  0 , so that there shall be c  , and there
4h
will become
CC C
hh  and h  ;
16 EE 4E
from which it becomes
CC  4 BE
c
4CE
and again
CC  4 BE 2 EE
k c , a and f  0 .
4CE C
II.
But if D shall be a negative quantity, for example D   EE , so that this equation must be
constructed
x 4 *  Bx 2  Cx  EE  0 ;
there will become
64cch 4  CC  4hh(4hh  B) 2  16 EEhh ,
which equation provides a real value for c, whatever is assumed for h ; for there will
become
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
(CC  4hh(4hh  B) 2  16 EEhh)
c
8hh
and h can be assumed as it pleases ; therefore in any case assumed thus, so that the
construction of c thence may follow most easily. With which done there shall be, as
before,
4hh  B
AE  f  0, CD  EF  k 
4h
and
C
AD  a  .
8hh
If there may be put E  0 , the construction of the cubic equation arises :
x3 *  Bx  C  0 .
And Baker’s rule depends on this construction commonly known well enough.
496. If any two lines of the second order or conic sections may be taken, of which the
equations and likewise the start of the abscissas shall be related to a common axis :
ayy  bxy  cxx  dy  ex  f  0

and
 yy   xy   xx   y   x    0 .
From which if y may be eliminated by the method treated above, so that it comes about in
comparing these equations with these treated above in § 479, evidently
P  Qy  Ryy  0
and
p  qy  ryy  0 ,
P and p become functions of the second order of x, Q and q functions of the first order, R
and r will be constants, from which the resulting equation is gathered to become a
biquadratic. And thus by the intersections of some two conic sections equations cannot be
constructed of higher degree than the biquadratic, but which we have seen able to be
constructed by the intersection of a parabola with a circle. Truly likewise this can be
understood from the nature of lines of the second order, which can be cut at two points by
a straight line ; from which two right lines will be able to form four intersections, but two
right lines considered jointly constitute an example of lines of the second order ; from
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
which it is apparent two lines of the second order can intersect each other mutually in
four points.
497. Two curves may be used to put into effect the intersections, truly the one curve of
the second order and the other indeed of the third order, which may be expressed by these
two equations
P  Qy  Ryy  0
and
p  qy  ryy  sy 3  0 .
Therefore P will be a function of two dimensions of x, Q a function of one dimension and

R constant ; then truly p will be a function of three dimensions, q of two, r of one
dimension and s constant. The reason for which may be had, if in the equation arising
after the elimination of y (§480), the equation is seen to be of the sixth order ; whereby
the intersection of a line of the third order with a conic section higher equations than of
the sixth power will be unable to be constructed, which likewise is apparent from the
nature of each order; for since lines of the third order will intersect with a right line at
three points, the same as with two right lines, which taken jointly constitute an example
of lines of the second order, which will be intersected in six points.
498. If we may transfer both the eliminations set out above as well as this reasoning
demanded from the intersection of right lines to higher orders, it will be apparent by the
intersections of two lines of the third order to be able to construct equations of the ninth
power, but through the intersections of two lines of the fourth order equations cannot
exceed the sixteenth power. And in general from the intersection of two curves, on which
one shall be of order m with the other of order n, all the equations able to be constructed
cannot exceed the power mn. Thus towards constructing an equation of the one hundredth
power there will be a need for either two lines of the tenth order, or from two, of which
the one shall be of the fifth order and the other of the twentieth order, and thus so on
again, by resolving the number 100 into two factors. But if the maximum power may be
required to be expressed by a prime number, or by not admitting other suitable factors,
then in its place another number having suitable factors may be substituted ; for with
these two curves equations can be constructed from greater powers, also equations can be
constructed of each lesser grade. Thus for an equation of the thirty-ninth grade two
curves are able to be used, the one of the sixth and the other of the seventh order, because
with two curves of this kind an equation of the forty-second order can be constructed and
this construction is agreed to be simpler, than if one curve of order three may be assumed,
and the other of order thirteen.
499. Therefore from these it is evident any equation thus indeed can be constructed from
two curves in innumerable ways by intersections, so that the real roots of this may be
assigned. From which innumerable ways it will be convenient to select that chiefly,
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
which is resolved by the curved lines both most simply, as well as described most easily ;
truly in the first case it will be required to apply oneself, so that all the real roots will be
shown by intersections ; which may be the case, if we assume curves of this kind, which
may be without imaginary intersections. But above we have seen no imaginary
intersections to remain in place, of the equation for the other curve the applied line y may
be equal to some uniform function of x ; for then, because this curve has no imaginary
applied lines, it cannot happen, that imaginary intersections may arise, whatever the
number of imaginary applied lines the other curve may also contain. Therefore in this
business of the construction we may assume the other curve thus always, so that its
equation may be contained in this form P  Qy  0 , with P and Q denoting functions of x.
500. Therefore with some proposed equation a certain suitable curve is selected with the
equation P  Qy  0 . And, because the equation for the other curve must be prepared thus,
P
so that, in place of y the value  may be substituted in that equation, the proposed
Q
equation itself may result, from that the equation proposed in turn will be able to be
P
formed for the other curve by introducing y in place of  . So that if this equation were
Q
proposed
x 4  Ax3  Bxx  Cx  D  0 ,
a parabola may be taken for the other curve held by the equation ay  xx  bx ; from
which since there shall be xx  ay  bx , this value may be substituted into the proposed
equation as often as wished ; there will be
x 4  aayy  2abxy  bbxx,

Ax 3   Aaxy  Abxx
and therefore the equation of this kind of the second order will be obtained :
aayy  a  A  2b  xy  ( B  Ab  bb) xx  Cx  D  0
the intersections of which thus with the curve ay  xx  bx will indicate the roots of the
proposed equation.
501. Just as both these curves can be varied in an indefinite number of ways for
determining the arbitrary constants a and b, thus a much greater variation can be induced
at this stage. For since from the first equation there shall be xx  ay  bx  0 , also there
will be acxx  aacy  abcx  0 , which if it is added to the latter equation, a much broader
equation for the line of the second order may arise, the intersections of which with the
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
page 546
former will indicate equally the roots of the proposed equation. Evidently both these
curves serving to be constructed will be :
I.
ay  xx  bx ,
II.
aayy  a  A  2b  xy   B  Ab  bb  ac  xx  aacy   C  abc  x  D  0 ,
and this latter equation thus can be added to, so that it may include in itself some conic
section ; evidently it is required to attend to this quantity
AA  4 B  4ac ,
which if positive, the curve will be a hyperbola, if it were  0 , the curve will be a
parabola, but if it shall be a negative quantity, the curve will be an ellipse.
[For if b  12 A then there is no cross-term, and the coefficient of x2 becomes :

B  Ab  bb  ac  B  12 A2  14 A2  ac  B  14 A2  ac    A2  4 B  4ac  , from which
the result follows.]
Truly this other curve will be a circle, if there were
b  12 A and aa  B  14 AA  ac
or
AA B
c a  ;
4a a
then indeed the equation for that curve will be
 AAa   Aaa A3 AB 
aayy  aaxx   a 3   Ba  y   C     xD 0
 4   2 8 2 
or
2
a AA B   AB 
2
 C A A3
 y    
  x     
 2 8a 2 a   2aa 4 16aa 4aa 
2
 a AA B   C AB 
2
A A3 D
          ,
 2 8a 2a   2aa 4 16aa 4aa  aa
where this last term is the square of the radius of the circle.
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
502. Therefore thus from conic sections alone innumerable curves are had, which
described with the parabola ay  xx  bx will provide the roots of the proposed equation
from their intersections. Therefore any one of these curves may be taken, the parabola
will be intersected always at the same points and thus all these curves will cut each other
mutually at the same points. On which account from these infinite curves it will be
allowed to assume any two (with the parabola first assumed passed over), which if they
may be described on a common axis, will always indicate the same roots by their
intersections : Thus in this manner that equation will be able to be constructed either from
a circle and a parabola, just as we have seen above now, by two parabolas, by a parabola
and an ellipse or a hyperbola, two ellipses, two hyperbolas, or finally by an ellipse with
hyperbola. Moreover a much greater variety of constructions will be multiplied together,
if also it may be desired to use curves of a higher order to this end.
503. Equations of higher orders can be constructed in the same manner, by assuming for
the other curve a line of the parabolic kind expressed by the equation y  P . Thus, if the
equation shall be proposed to be constructed :
x12  f 10 xx  f 9 gx  g 12  0 ,
a parabolic equation of the fourth order may be taken : x 4  a 3 y ; and since there shall be
x12  a 9 y 3 , with this term put in place an equation will arise for a line of the third order :
a 9 y 3  f 10 xx  f 9 gx  g 12  0 ;
from which, it to that some multiple of the first equation x 4  a 3 y  0 may be added,
innumerable lines of the fourth order will be formed, some two of which taken together
will construct the proposed equation.
504. But if it may arise, that from the equation proposed to be constructed not a suitable
enough method may be able to be derived from the preceding method, then the proposed
equation may be multiplied by x, xx or x 3 , or again by some higher power of x, thus so
that to its roots some vanishing roots may be added extra, which may be indicated by
their intersections made from the start of the abscissas and thus will be easily
distinguished from the remaining true roots. Thus the equation proposed therefore will be
of a higher order, yet this by not hindering on numerous occasions a more suitable
construction to be obtained. Thus, if for example the cubic equation were proposed
x3  Axx  Bx  C  0 ,
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
which on putting xx  ay , thus so that the one constructing curve shall become a
parabola, the other will be always a hyperbola; for with ay substituted in place of xx, this
equation will be produced
axy  Aay  Bx  C  0 ;
or by adding the first equation cxx  acy  0 this more general equation arises
axy  cxx  a  A  c  y  Bx  C  0 ,
which also is a hyperbola always. Therefore if either a circle, ellipse or parabola may be
considered more suitable to be used, then the proposed equation may be multiplied by x,
so that this equation may be had :
x 4  Ax3  Bxx  Cx  0 ,
which if it may be compared with the biquadratic equation constructed above, there will
be D  0 and this equation will be able to be constructed by a circle and parabola always.
505. Therefore because every equation of each order can be constructed by the
intersections of two algebraic curves and that in an infinite number of ways, some line is
allowed to be substituted in place of the other curve and hence the question has extricated
itself, just as it may be able to be constructed with the aid of a given curve. But noting
here in the first place the given curve must be from that kind, so that its applied line may
be expressed by a uniform function of x, lest it be disturbed by imaginary intersections.
Nor indeed may it suffice, that a curve or only a part of a proposed curve shall have
abscissas equal to one root of the equation, which condition, if indeed only a single root
of the proposed equation be desired, is accustomed to be added ; indeed it may happen,
that this arc of the curve may experience no intersection, even if the abscissa
corresponding to some point of its arc shall be a true root, because this root may be able
to be indicated either an imaginary intersection or corresponding to some other branch
through the same abscissa. On account of the cause of this question being more curious
than useful I will not linger, since I may have made clear well enough the true
fundamentals of this kind of construction.
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
CAPUT XX
DE CONSTRUCTIONE AEQUATIONUM
486. Quae in superiori capite de intersectione curvarum sunt exposita, potissimum ad
constructiones aequationum altiorum graduum traduci solent. Cum enim duabus curvis
propositis aequationem invenerimus, cuius radices intersectionum locos exhibeant, ita
vicissim intersectiones duarum curvarum inservire possunt radicibus aequationum
indicandis. Atque hic modus maximam affert utilitatem, si radices cuiuspiam aequationis
per lineas exprimi debeant; descripta namque utraque curva ad hunc finem accommodata,
intersectiones facile notabuntur, unde, si ad axem applicatae demittantur, abscissae
praebebunt veras aequationis radices. Si autem incommodum supra memoratum
locum habeat, tum quidem omnes abscissae sic inventae radices praebebunt, at fieri
poterit, ut aequatio proposita plures complectatur radices, quam per talem constructionem
reperiuntur.
487. Cum igitur proposita fuerit aequatio algebraica incognitam x involvens, cuius
radices assignari oporteat, duae quaerendae sunt lineae curvae seu duae aequationes inter
binas variabiles x et y, quae ita sint comparatae, ut, si ex iis applicata y eliminetur, ipsa
aequatio proposita resultet. Quo facto istae duae curvae super communi axe atque ad
idem abscissarum initium describantur punctaque, quibus se mutuo intersecabunt,
notentur. Tum ex his intersectionum punctis ad axem applicatae normales demittantur,
quae in axe exhibebunt abscissas singulis aequationis propositae radicibus aequales.
Hoc itaque modo singularum radicum quaesitarum valores veri assignabuntur, nisi forte
eveniat, ut aequatio plures contineat radices, quam intersectiones ad esse deprehendantur.
488. Antequam autem modum tradam, quo binae illae curvae constructioni datae
aequationis inservientes inveniri queant, a posteriori
eas aequationes perpendamus, quarum resolutio ex
datis duabus curvis absolvitur. Ac primo quidem sint
ambae lineae resolventes rectae EM, FM sese in
puncto M intersecantes. Sumatur recta EF pro axe in
eoque punctum A pro initio abscissarum, unde educta
normalis ABC rectam priorem in B, posteriorem in C
secet. Sit AE  a, AF  b, AB  c, AC  d ; tum
vero ponatur abscissa AP  x , applicata PM  y ,
eritque pro priori recta EM a : c  a  x : y seu
ay  c(a  x) et pro altera b : d  b  x : y seu
by  d (b  x) . Ex his aequationibus si eliminetur y,
prodibit
bc(a  x)  ad (b  x)
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
seu
abd  abc ab(d  c)
x  .
bc  ad bc  ad
Per intersectionem ergo duarum linearum rectarum construi poterit aequatio

simplex
ab(d  c)
x ;
bc  ad
ad quam formam omnes omnino aequationes simplices revocari possunt.
489. Lineas rectas ratione facilitatis describendi excipit circulus et hanc ob rem videamus,
cuiusmodi aequationes per intersectionem rectae et circuli
construi queant. Sit igitur (Fig. 98), sumta AP pro axe et A pro abscissarum initio,
descripta linea recta EM positisque AE  a, AB  b et coordinatis AP= x, PM= y, erit
a : b  a  x : y ideoque ay  b(a  x) , quae est aequatio pro linea recta. Deinde sit radius
circuli CM  c , demissoque ex eius centro C in axem perpendiculo CD vocetur
AD  f , CD  g erit DP  x  f et PM  CD  y  g . Iam,cum sit ex natura circuli
CM 2  DP 2  ( PM  CD) 2 ,
erit aequatio pro circulo
cc  xx  2 fx  ff  yy  2 gy  gg  ( x  f ) 2  ( y  g ) 2 .
ab  bx
At aequatio pro recta dat y  , unde fit
a
a  b  g   bx bx
yg  bg 
a a
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
quo ipsius y valore in altera aequatione substituto emerget
2b  b  g  x bbxx
cc  xx  2 fx  ff   b  g   
2
a aa
seu
 aaxx  2ab  b  g  x  aa (b  g) 2  0,
bb  2aaf  aaff
 aacc
cuius ergo aequationis radices invenientur per intersectiones rectae et circuli,

ita ut demissis ex intersectionibus M et m in axem perpendiculis MP, mp valores ipsius y
futuri sint AP et Ap.
490. Quoniam in hac aequatione omnes aequationes quadraticae continentur, hinc

constructio generalis aequationum quadraticarum adornari poterit. Sit scilicet proposita
haec aequatio quadratica
Axx  Bx  C  0 ,
quae ad superiorem formam primum ita reducatur, ut primi termini conveniant ;

aa  bb
multiplicando per :
A
B  aa  bb  x C  aa  bb 
(aa  bb) xx    0.
A A
Iam coaequatio reliquorum terminorum dabit
2 Aab(b  g )  2 Aaaf  B(aa  bb)

ideoque fiet
B (aa  bb)
af  b(b  g )  .
2 Aa
Unde, cum sit
C (aa  bb)
aa(b  g ) 2  aaff  aacc  ,
A
erit
Bb  b  g  (aa  bb) BB(aa  bb) 2 C (aa  bb)
(aa  bb)(b  g ) 
2
  aacc 
Aa 4 AAaa A
ideoque
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
Bb  b  g  BB(aa  bb) aacc C
(b  g ) 2     ,
Aa 4 AAaa aa  bb A
ergo
Bb  aacc C BB 
bg      .
2 Aa  aa  bb A 4 AA 
Manent igitur tres quantitates a, b et c adhuc indeterminatae, quas autem ita accipi
oportet, ut
aacc C BB
 
aa  bb A 4 AA
fiat quantitas affirmativa, quia alioquin b  g  AA  CD hincque CD fieret quantitas

imaginaria.
491. Nihil ergo impedit, quominus ponamus b  0 , eritque
  BB  4 AC  B
g   cc   et f   .
 4 AA  2A
Deinde vero, cum aequatio proposita Axx  Bx  C  0 radices nullas habeat reales, nisi
BB  4AC
sit BB maior quam 4AC, erit hoc casu quantitas affirmativa, cui si cc ponatur
4 AA
aequale, ut sit
( BB  4AC )
c
2A
fiet quoque g  0 et a prorsus ex calculo excedit. Linea ergo recta EM in ipsum axem AP
incidet et centrum circuli C collocari debebit in puncto D existente
B
AD   ,
2A
ex quo centro si circulus describatur radio
( BB  4AC )
c ,
2A
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
Translated and annotated by Ian Bruce.page 553
huius intersectiones cum ipso axe ostendent aequationis propositae radices. Ne autem ad
hoc constructione formulae irrationalis opus sit, ponatur
k
g c , ut sit
2A
2ck kk  BB  4 AC
cc    cc  ,
2A 4 AA 4 AA
erit
kk  BB  4 AC BB  4 AC  kk
c et g  .
4kA 4kA
In nostro ergo arbitrio determinatio quantitatis k relinquitur; qua utcunque assumta, quia
recta CM in ipsum axem incidit, circulus sequenti modo describi debebit. Sumta
B
AD   , capiatur perpendiculum
2A
BB  4 AC  kk
CD  .
4 Ak
et centro C describatur circulus, cuius radius
BB  4 AC  kk
 ;
4 Ak
huiusque intersectiones cum axe ostendent radices aequationis propositae.

B C
Quodsi ergo statuatur k   B , sumta AD   capiatur CD  , et circuli centro C
2A B
describendi radius erit
 BB  2 AC B C
  ,
2 AB 2A B
ex quo radius circuli erit  AD  CD ; quae constructio pro praxi commodissima

videtur.
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
492. Consideremus iam (Fig. 99) duos circulos se intersecantes sitque pro primo AD  a ,
CD  b , et eius radius CM  c ; eritque positis
AP  x et PM  y
DP  a  x, CD  PM  b  y ; ideoque ex natura
circuli habebitur
xx  2ax  aa  yy  2by  bb  cc .
Simili modo pro altero circulo sit Ad  f , dc  g
eiusque radius cM  h ,
eritque
xx  2 fx  ff  yy  2 gy  gg  hh ,
quibus aequationibus a se invicem subtractis

remanebit
2  f  a  x  aa  ff  2  b  g  y  bb  gg  cc  hh ,
ergo
aa  bb  ff  gg  cc  hh  2  a  f  x
y
2 b  g 
hincque
bb  2 gbh  aa  ff  gg  cc  hh  2  a  f  x
b y 
2 b  g 
et
2a  b  g   2(b  g ) x
ax .
2(b  g )
Cum igitur sit (a  x) 2  (b  y ) 2  cc , erit facta substitutione
 4(a  f ) 2 xx  4  a  f  b  g  x  (b  g ) 4  0.
2
 2  aa  cc  (b  g ) 2
 4 b  g   4  a  f  aa  ff   2( ff  hh)  b  g 
2 2
 4(a  f )(cc  hh)  (aa  cc  ff  hh) 2
Huius ergo aequationis ope infinitis modis construi poterit aequatio
Axx  Bx  C  0 ;
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
page 555
simul vero intelligitur aequationem quadraticam altiorem per intersectionem duorum
circulorum construi non posse, propterea quod duo circuli se mutuo in pluribus quam
duobus punctis intersecare nequeunt. Cum igitur eadem aequatio quadratica construi
possit per intersectionem rectae et circuli, haec constructio illi, quae duos circulos
requirit, merito praefertur, nisi forte in casibus quibusdam singularibus facilis linearum a,
b, f, g, c et h determination sponte se prodat.
493. Intersecetur nunc (Fig. 100) circulus a parabola; sit scilicet, demisso ex centro
circuli C in axem AP perpendiculo CD, AD  a, CD  b et radius circuli CM  c , erit
inter coordinatas orthogonales AP  x, PM  y aequatio pro circulo
 x  a  ( y  b) 2  cc. Parabolae vero axis FB
2
statuatur ad axem hic assumtum AP normalis sitque

AE  f , EF  g et parameter parabolae  2h ; erit
ex natura parabolae EP 2  2h  EF  PM  seu in
symbolis ( x  f ) 2  2h( g  y ) , unde erit
( x  f )2 ( x  f )2
y  g et y  b   (b  g ).
2h 2h
Qui valor si in priori aequatione substituatur,

eliminabitur y eritque
x  f 
4
(b  g )( x  f ) 2
  (b  g ) 2   x  a   cc
2
4hh h
sive
x 4  4 fx3  6 ff  xx  4 f 3  x  f 4  0 ,
 4h(b  g )  4 fh(b  g )  4 ffh(b  g )
 4hh  8ahh
 4hh(b  g )2
+4aahh
 4cckh
cuius aequationis radices erunt abscissae AP, Ap, Ap, Ap, unde applicatae per
intersectionum puncta M, m, m, m transeunt.
494. In hac aequatione sex insunt constantes a, b, c, f, g et h, quarum vero binae b  g

pro una sunt reputandae, ita ut quinque solum ponendo b  g  k inesse censendae sint.
Posito scilicet CD  EF  b  g  k sequens habebitur aequatio
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
x  4 fx  6 ffxx  4f x  f
4 3 3 4
0.
 4hk  4 fhk – 4 ffhk
 4hh  8ahh  4hhkk
 4aahh
 4cchh
Ad hanc autem formam omnis aequatio biquadratica revocari potest; sit enim proposita
haec aequatio
x 4  Ax3  Bxx  Cx  D  0 ,
erit comparatione instituta
4 f  A seu f  14 A ,
6 ff  4hk  4hh  B seu 3
8
AA  4hk  4hh  B ,
unde fit
3 AA B
k h ,
32h 4h
4f – 4 fhk  8ahh  C
3
sive
1 3 3 3
A  A  Ahh  14 AB  8ahh  C
16 32
ergo
A3 A AB C
a +   .
256hh 8 32hh 8hh
Denique est
( ff  2hk ) 2  4aahh  4cckk  D .

At est
B AA
ff  2hk   2hh 
2 16
et
A3 Ah AB C
2ah    
128h 4 16h 4h
quibus valoribus substitutis emerget aequatio c et h involvens, quas propterea

convenientissime inde definiri oportet, ita scilicet ut utraque valorem obtineat realem.
495. Quoniam vero in omni aequatione biquadratica secundus terminus

facile tolli potest, ponamus ipsum iam esse sublatum ideoque construendam
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
esse hanc aequationem
x 4 *  Bxx  Cx  D  0 .
B C
Erit ergo primum f  0 , secundo k  h  , tertio a  atque ob
4h 8hh
B C
2hk  ff  2hh  et 2ah 
2 4h
quarto
CC
4h 4  2 Bhh  14 BB   4cchh  D ,
16hh
unde fit
64cch 4  CC  4 BBhh  32 Bh 4  64h6  16 Dhh
ideoque
8chh  (4hh( B  4hh) 2  CC  16 Dhh) .
Quoniam vero hoc imprimis est efficiendum, ut tam c quam h obtineant valores reales,
Bq
ponatur c  h – eritque
4h
CC  16 Dhh  8Bhhq  32h 4 q  4hhqq  0 .
Quo igitur quaesito satisfaciamus, duo casus sunt distinguendi, alter quo D est quantitas
negativa, alter quo D est quantitas affirmativa. Sit igitur
I.
D quantitas affirmative   EE , ita ut construi debeat haec aequatio
x 4 *  Bx 2  Cx  EE  0 ;
4hh  B
ponatur ad hoc q  0 , ut sit c  , fietque
4h
CC C
hh  et h  ;
16 EE 4E
unde fit
CC  4 BE
c
4CE
et porro
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
CC  4 BE 2 EE
k c , a et f  0 .
4CE C
II.
Sit autem D quantitas negativa, puta D   EE , ut construi debeat haec aequatio
x 4 *  Bx 2  Cx  EE  0 ;
fiet
64cch 4  CC  4hh(4hh  B) 2  16 EEhh ,
quae aequatio realem pro c valorem praebet, quicquid pro h assumatur; fiet enim
(CC  4hh(4hh  B) 2  16 EEhh)

c
8hh
atque h pro lubitu assumi potest; quovis igitur casu ita assumatur, ut facillima
ipsius c constructio inde consequatur. Quo facto erit, ut ante,
4hh  B
AE  f  0, CD  EF  k 
4h
et
C
AD  a  .
8hh
Si ponatur E  0 , orietur constructio aequationis cubicae
x3 *  Bx  C  0 .
Hacque constructione nititur regula BACKERI vulgo satis nota.
496. Si sumantur duae quaecunque lineae secundi ordinis seu sectiones conicae, quarum
aequationes ad communem axem idemque abscissarum initium relatae sint
ayy  bxy  cxx  dy  ex  f  0

et
 yy   xy   xx   y   x    0 .
Ex quibus si methodo supra tradita y eliminetur, quod fiet istas aequationes comparando
cum illis in § 479 tractatis, scilicet
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
P  Qy  Ryy  0
et
p  qy  ryy  0 ,
fient P et p functiones secundi ordinis ipsius x, Q et q functiones primi ordinis et R et r

erunt constantes, unde colligitur aequatio resultans fore biquadratica. Atque adeo per
intersectiones duarum quarumvis sectionum conicarum altioris gradus aequationes
construi nequeunt quam biquadraticae, quas autem per circulum et parabolam construi
posse vidimus. Hoc idem vero intelligere licet ex natura linearum secundi ordinis, quae a
recta linea in duobus punctis secari possunt; unde duae rectae quatuor intersectiones
formare poterunt, at duae lineae rectae iunctim consideratae speciem constituunt linearum
secundi ordinis; unde patet duas lineas secundi ordinis se mutuo in quatuor punctis
intersecare posse.
497. Adhibeantur ad intersectiones efficiendas duae lineae, altera secundi altero vero
tertii ordinis, quae exprimantur his aequationibus
P  Qy  Ryy  0
et
p  qy  ryy  sy 3  0 .
Erit ergo P functio duarum dimensionum ipsius x, Q functio unius dimensionis et R

constans; tum vero p functio trium dimensionum, q duarum, r unius dimensionis et s
constans. Quarum ratio si in aequatione post eliminationem ipsius y orta ( § 480)
habeatur, patebit eam fore ordinis sexti; quare per intersectiones lineae tertii ordinis cum
sectione conica altiores aequationes quam sextae potestatis construi non poterunt, quod
idem ex natura utriusque ordinis patet; cum enim lineae tertii ordinis a linea recta in
tribus punctis intersecentur, eaedem a duabus rectis, quae iunctim sumptae speciem
linearum secundi ordinis constituunt, in sex punctis intersecabuntur.
498. Si tam eliminationes supra expositas quam hoc ratiocinium ab intersectione

rectarum petitum ad altiores ordines transferamus, patebit per intersectiones
duarum linearum tertii ordinis construi posse aequationes nonae potestatis, per
intersectiones duarum linearum quarti ordinis autem aequationes potestatem sextam
decimam non superantes. Atque in genere per duarum linearum curvarum intersectiones,
quarum altera sit ordinis m altera ordinis n, construi poterunt omnes aequationes
potestatem mn non excedentes. Sic ad aequationem centesimae potestatis construendam
opus erit vel duabus lineis decimi ordinis, vel duabus, quarum altera sit quinti altera
vicesimi ordinis, et ita porro, resolvendo numerum 100 in duos factores. Quodsi autem
aequationis construendae maxima potestas exponatur numero primo vel alio commodos
factores non admittente, tum in eius locum alius numerus maior factores habens idoneos
substituatur; quibus enim binis curvis aequationes maioris potestatis construi possunt,
iisdem quoque aequationes inferioris cuiusque gradus construentur. Sic ad aequationem
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
gradus tricesimi noni adhiberi poterunt duae curvae, altera sexti altera septimi ordinis,
quia duabus huiusmodi curvis aequatio quadragesimi secundi gradus construi potest
haecque constructio simplicior est censenda, quam si altera curva ordinis tertii, altera
decimi tertii assumeretur.
499. Ex his igitur perspicuum est unamquamque aequationem pluribus imo

innumerabilibus modis per intersectiones duarum curvarum ita construi posse, ut eius
radices reales assignentur. Ex quibus infinitis modis eum potissimum eligi conveniet, qui
absolvitur lineis curvis cum simplicissimus tum descriptu facillimis; imprimis vero in id
erit incumbendum, ut per intersectiones omnes radices reales exhibeantur; quod obtinetur,
si eiusmodi curvae assumantur, quae intersectionibus imaginariis careant. Supra autem
vidimus huiusmodi intersectionibus imaginariis nullum relinqui locum, si in aequatione
pro altera curva applicata y aequetur functioni uniformi ipsius x ; tum enim, quia haec
curva nullas habet applicatas imaginarias, fieri nequit, ut intersectiones imaginariae
oriantur, quotcunque etiam applicatis imaginariis altera curva inquinetur. In hoc ergo
constructionis negotio alteram curvam perpetuo ita assumamus, ut eius aequatio in hac
forma P  Qy  0 continetur denotantibus P et Q functiones ipsius x.
500. Proposita ergo quacunque aequatione eligatur una quaedam conveniens curva in
aequatione P  Qy  0 . Et, quoniam aequatio pro altera curva ita debet esse comparata,
P
ut, si in ea loco y substituatur valor  , ipsa aequatio proposita resultet, ex ipsa
Q
P
proposita vicissim efformari poterit aequatio pro altera curva introducendo y loco  .
Q
Uti si proposita fuerit haec aequatio
x 4  Ax3  Bxx  Cx  D  0 ,
sumatur parabola pro altera curva aequatione ay  xx  bx contenta; ex qua cum

sit xx  ay  bx , substituatur iste valor in aequatione proposita, quoties lubet; erit
x 4  aayy  2abxy  bbxx,
Ax 3   Aaxy  Abxx
ideoque obtinebitur huiusmodi aequatio secundi ordinis
aayy  a  A  2b  xy  ( B  Ab  bb) xx  Cx  D  0 ,
cuius adeo intersectiones cum curva ay  xx  bx indicabunt radices aequationis

propositae.
501. Quemadmodum hae curvae ambae determinandis pro arbitrio constantibus

EULER'S
Chapter 20.
page 561
a et b infinitis modis variari possunt, ita multo maior adhuc varietas induci potest. Cum
enim ex aequatione priori sit xx  ay  bx  0 , erit quoque acxx  aacy  abcx  0 , quae si
addatur ad posteriorem aequationem, multo latius patens orietur aequatio pro linea
secundi ordinis, cuius intersectiones cum priori radices aequationis propositae aeque
indicabunt. Ambae scilicet istae curvae constructioni inservientes erunt
I.
ay  xx  bx ,
II.
aayy  a  A  2b  xy  ( B  Ab  bb  ac) xx  aacy   C  abc  x  D  0
haecque posterior aequatio ita adornari potest, ut quamvis sectionem conicam in se

complectatur; attendendum scilicet est ad hanc quantitatem
AA  4 B  4ac ,
quae si fuerit affirmativa, curva erit hyperbola, si fuerit  0 , curva erit parabola, sin
autem sit quantitas negativa, curva erit ellipsis. Circulus vero erit haec altera curva, si
fuerit
b  12 A et aa  B  14 AA  ac
seu
AA B
c a  ;
4a a
tum enim aequatio pro eo erit
 AAa   Aaa A3 AB 
aayy  aaxx   a 3   Ba  y   C    xD 0
 4   2 8 2 
seu
2
a AA B   AB 
2
 C A A3
 y    
  x     
 2 8a 2 a   2aa 4 16aa 4aa 
2
 a AA B   C AB 
2
A A3 D
          ,
 2 8a 2a   2aa 4 16aa 4aa  aa
ubi hoc membrum est quadratum radii circuli.
502. Sic igitur ex solis sectionibus conicis habentur innumerabiles curvae, quae cum
parabola ay  xx  bx descriptae intersectionibus suis radices aequationis propositae
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
Translated and annotated by Ian Bruce.page 562
praebebunt. Harum ergo curvarum quaecunque sumatur, parabola in iisdem semper
punctis intersecabitur atque ideo illae curvae omnes se mutuo in iisdem punctis secabunt.
Quocirca ex his curvis infinitis duas quascunque assumere licebit (praetermissa parabola
primum assumta), quae si super communi axe describantur, per intersectiones suas
radices aequationis propositae semper indicabunt: Hocque adeo modo ista aequatio
construi poterit vel per circulum et parabolam, uti supra iam vidimus, vel per duas
parabolas vel per parabolam et ellipsin hyperbolamve vel per duas ellipses vel per duas
hyperbolas vel per ellipsin cum hyperbola. Multo magis autem varietas constructionum
multiplicabitur, si etiam curvae altiorum ordinum in hunc finem adhiberi velint.
503. Simili modo construi poterunt aequationes altiorum graduum, assumendo pro altera
curva lineam parabolici generis aequatione y  P contentam. Sic, si proposita sit aequatio
construenda
x12  f 10 xx  f 9 gx  g 12  0 ,
sumatur aequatio parabolica ordinis quarti x 4  a 3 y ; et, cum sit x12  a 9 y 3 ,

hoc termino substituto emerget aequatio pro linea tertii ordinis
a 9 y 3  f 10 xx  f 9 gx  g 12  0 ;
ex qua, si ad eam addatur multiplum quodcunque prioris aequationis x 4  a 3 y  0 ,

innumerabiles formabuntur lineae quarti ordinis, quarum binae quaevis coniunctae
aequationem propositam construent.
504. Quodsi eveniat, ut ex aequatione construenda proposita non satis idonea constructio
praecedente methodo derivari queat, tum aequatio proposita multiplicetur per x vel xx vel
x3 vel altiorem quampiam potestatem ipsius x, ita ut ad eius radices aliquot insuper
radices evanescentes addantur, quae per intersectiones in ipso abscissarum initio factas
indicabuntur ideoque a reliquis radicibus veris aequationis propositae facile discernentur.
Sic igitur aequatio proposita altoris fit gradus, hoc tamen non obstante saepenumero
commodior constructio obtinebitur. Ita, si exempli gratia proposita fuerit aequatio cubica
x3  Axx  Bx  C  0 ,
quae posito xx  ay , ita ut altera curva construens futura sit parabola, altera erit semper
hyperbola; prodibit enim loco xx substituto ay haec aequatio
axy  Aay  Bx  C  0 ;
vel addita aequatione priore cxx  acy  0 nascetur haec latius patens
axy  cxx  a  A  c  y  Bx  C  0 ,
EULER'S
Chapter 20.
quae quoque perpetuo est pro hyperbola. Quodsi ergo circulum vel ellipsin vel parabolam
adhibere commodius videatur, tum aequatio proposita multiplicetur per x, ut habeatur
haec aequatio
x 4  Ax3  Bxx  Cx  0 ,
quae si cum aequatione biquadratica supra constructa comparetur, erit D  0 haecque

aequatio semper per circulum et parabolam construi poterit.
505. Quoniam ergo omnis aequatio cuiusque gradus per intersectiones duarum curvarum
algebraicarum construi potest idque infinitis modis, lineam quamcunque in locum alterius
curvae substituere licebit hincque enata est quaestio, quemadmodum data aequatio ope
datae curvae construi queat. Hic autem primum notandum est datam curvam ex eo genere
esse debere, ut eius applicata exprimatur per functionem uniformem ipsius x, ne
intersectiones imaginariae constructionem perturbent. Neque enim sufficeret, ut curva,
vel tantum portio curvae proposita, habeat abscissas uni radici aequationis aequales, quae
conditio, siquidem una tantum radix aequationis propositae desideretur, adiici est solita;
fieri enim posset, ut iste arcus curvae nullam patiatur intersectionem, etiamsi abscissa
cuipiam ipsius puncto respondens sit vera radix, quoniam haec radix vel per
intersectionem imaginariam vel per alius rami eidem abscissae respondentia
intersectionem indicari posset. Quam ob causam huic quaestioni curiosae magis quam
utili non immoror, cum vera fundamenta omnium huiusmodi constructionum satis fuse
ostenderim.

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EULER'S

INTRODUCTIO IN ANALYSIN INFINITORUM VOL. 2

THE CONSTRUCTION OF EQUATIONS

Therefore the simple equation

Now the equality of the remaining terms will give

2 Aab(b  g )  2 Aaaf  B(aa  bb)

and thus there becomes

Bb  b  g  (aa  bb) BB(aa  bb) 2 C (aa  bb)

Bb  b  g  BB(aa  bb) aacc C

becomes a positive quantity, because otherwise b  g  AA  CD and hence CD will

from which centre, if a circle be described with the radius

and with center C a circle may be described, whose radius

In a similar manner for the other circle there shall

 4(a  f )(cc  hh)  (aa  cc  ff  hh) 2

With the aid of this equation therefore, the equation

will be able to be constructed in an infinite number of ways ; likewise truly it is

FB of the parabola here may be put in place

it will be prepared by putting in place

from which there becomes

( ff  2hk ) 2  4aahh  4cckk  D .

64cch 4  CC  4 BBhh  32 Bh 4  64h6  16 Dhh

64cch 4  CC  4hh(4hh  B) 2  16 EEhh ,

If there may be put E  0 , the construction of the cubic equation arises :

ayy  bxy  cxx  dy  ex  f  0

Therefore P will be a function of two dimensions of x, Q a function of one dimension and

x 4  aayy  2abxy  bbxx,

[For if b  12 A then there is no cross-term, and the coefficient of x2 becomes :

Truly this other curve will be a circle, if there were

then indeed the equation for that curve will be

Per intersectionem ergo duarum linearum rectarum construi poterit aequatio

ad quam formam omnes omnino aequationes simplices revocari possunt.

cuius ergo aequationis radices invenientur per intersectiones rectae et circuli,

490. Quoniam in hac aequatione omnes aequationes quadraticae continentur, hinc

quae ad superiorem formam primum ita reducatur, ut primi termini conveniant ;

Iam coaequatio reliquorum terminorum dabit

2 Aab(b  g )  2 Aaaf  B(aa  bb)

fiat quantitas affirmativa, quia alioquin b  g  AA  CD hincque CD fieret quantitas

491. Nihil ergo impedit, quominus ponamus b  0 , eritque

ex quo centro si circulus describatur radio

et centro C describatur circulus, cuius radius

huiusque intersectiones cum axe ostendent radices aequationis propositae.

ex quo radius circuli erit  AD  CD ; quae constructio pro praxi commodissima

quibus aequationibus a se invicem subtractis

Cum igitur sit (a  x) 2  (b  y ) 2  cc , erit facta substitutione

 4(a  f )(cc  hh)  (aa  cc  ff  hh) 2

Huius ergo aequationis ope infinitis modis construi poterit aequatio

statuatur ad axem hic assumtum AP normalis sitque

Qui valor si in priori aequatione substituatur,

494. In hac aequatione sex insunt constantes a, b, c, f, g et h, quarum vero binae b  g

( ff  2hk ) 2  4aahh  4cckk  D .

quibus valoribus substitutis emerget aequatio c et h involvens, quas propterea

495. Quoniam vero in omni aequatione biquadratica secundus terminus

64cch 4  CC  4 BBhh  32 Bh 4  64h6  16 Dhh

8chh  (4hh( B  4hh) 2  CC  16 Dhh) .

64cch 4  CC  4hh(4hh  B) 2  16 EEhh ,

(CC  4hh(4hh  B) 2  16 EEhh)

Si ponatur E  0 , orietur constructio aequationis cubicae

Hacque constructione nititur regula BACKERI vulgo satis nota.

ayy  bxy  cxx  dy  ex  f  0

fient P et p functiones secundi ordinis ipsius x, Q et q functiones primi ordinis et R et r

Erit ergo P functio duarum dimensionum ipsius x, Q functio unius dimensionis et R

498. Si tam eliminationes supra expositas quam hoc ratiocinium ab intersectione

499. Ex his igitur perspicuum est unamquamque aequationem pluribus imo